Duke Energy Florida (DEF) recently announced the locations of its newest universal solar power plants to benefit Florida customers.
Accoring to DEF, the three solar power plants are expected to eliminate nearly 800 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions in Florida each year upon commercial operation. DEF is investing an estimated $1 billion to construct or acquire a total of 700 MW of cost-effective solar power facilities through 2022.
DEF believes that by buying existing solar projects and using a competitive process to select solar contractors, solar panels and project material suppliers, the company's solar power plants bring the greatest amount of dependable renewable energy online for customers in the most efficient and economical way while creating more jobs in the solar and energy-related markets.
Earlier this month, Florida A&M University’s board of trustees approved a partnership with DEF to construct a solar facility. The new solar plant is expected to add nearly 75 megawatts of energy to the grid at the university’s Brooksville Agricultural and Environmental Research Station (BAERS).
The board signed off on a 25-year lease agreement with DEF. It includes a due diligence period for site investigation and permitting before construction starts on the solar project, the university says.
Over the next decade, the company will also make innovative and targeted investments in additional solar power plants, battery storage technology, shared solar, transportation electrification and a modernized power grid to help meet customers' needs for diverse, reliable energy solutions.
The 4th Annual Environmental Leader & Energy Manager Conference takes place May 13 – 15, 2019 in Denver. Learn more here.